Hey Tweets!
Bob Stallcop and I did the marathon drive from Renton to Hart's Pass saturday, and it was WELL worth it!
We arrived at about 11:00, ran into Mike Flemming at about 11:30, and had found the Hawk-owl by about 11:45. (But not much else!) Weather was fantastic! The owl was harrassed by a Stellar's Jay right along the road, and flew to a high perch right above us, where we got excellent looks. It then flew down the small draw, and we were able to re-locate it (well another birder did, and got us back on it). It shifted perches again while we were watching and photographing, then flew off towards the campground. Where it was re-located (so I hear from tweeters) just a little later.
Beautiful Bird!

Bob and I then played tag with Mike all the way back to Wylie road, where we scanned the field for the Ruff right at dusk. No Ruff, but we did find Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpipers, and Pacific Golden-plovers AND large flocks of Snow, Cackling, and Canada geese landing behind the field.

LONG day, with lots of driving, but worth it for the Hawk-Owl! Wonderful!

Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com